Although gameplay is similar to the original, there are notable differences in the Wii version. The first is that Frank now operates out of the mall's security room, and he advances the main plot by completing missions given to him by Otis, Brad, and Jessie; other missions see him rescuing various survivors of the outbreak. While players do not have a single countdown clock for the main story, missions are individually timed[5] and Frank is not permitted to roam freely around the mall when on a mission. Another notable difference is a greater emphasis on gun-based gameplay than the original. Firearms are a completely redefined element—not only do guns now have more ammunition, players now use an over-the-shoulder perspective to aim using the Wii Remote to set where the gun is pointing.
Other differences between the two versions include:[6]
A few of the psychopaths from the original appear as zombies in the Wii version, while some of the survivors of the original are absent.
The Wii version features zombified animals, including poodles and parrots.
The mall is significantly smaller in the Wii version.
Frank cannot jump in the Wii version, and the photography system is absent.
Players can change the color of the blood in the game.
72-Hour Mode and Overtime Mode are merged in the Wii Version, to form a single, story-driven mode of gameplay.
Completing the main storyline on the Wii version grants the player access to a range of minigames.
There are fewer items scattered around the mall that can be used as weapons.
Cletus now sells guns to you for money instead of dying as in the original game
In the Wii version, all of the firearms were replaced with Resident Evil 4 guns, including the Blacktail, Killer 7, and Red-9; the original guns are absent.